“Go on, do it.” I straighten my spine, getting to my full height and waiting for the impact of his hand to land across my face. “You can’t hurt me any more than you already have. But I promise you this… You will be sorry.” I look him dead straight in the eyes. “You threatening me, kid?” My father sneers, taking a step towards me, dropping his hand. “No. I don’t like to make empty threats. This is more of a promise.” “What... because you’re aware of the truth, you now think you're better than us?” “No, it’s because I’ve survived and gotten to where I am today, all on my own. That I know I am better than you and without you…” “Oh please.” My mother laughs, cutting me off. “You may like to think you are something special, but you’re not. We used to think your sister was special, but look how that turned out. She became the death of us all.” She extends a hand, examining her freshly polished nails. “You really are a piece of work, you know that? You both are! She was special, and s
“Sheesh, this place is packed out, huh?” Chrissy mutters as we settle onto the barstools.“It sure is,” I say as I look around. The atmosphere screams first class. The ocean can be seen through the large glass windows, and the walls have been painted a dark shade of brown with dimmed chandeliers scattered upon the high arch ceilings, only offering a hint of lightBurgundy carpets line the floors, with tables being dressed in white and champagne buckets sitting on top with candles next to them. I feel as though I've stepped into a movie with classical music playing in the background.“Would you like to open up a tab?” The bartender asks.“Yes, we'd love to,” Chrissy responds as she digs through her bag.“Sure. My names, Nga and tonight I'll be your barman. Anything you want, I'll make it, and if I can't, the next rounds on me.” Nga introduces himself.“Hmm... I feel like I should take you up on your offer. But I know better than that, so I’ll just have a double Rum and coke and she,”
“How many to be exact?” I enquire, curious. That slimy bastard! “Six. There were six of them. Seven if you include his latest victim.” She growls with a shudder raking through her. “Shit!” I stare at her, completely dumbfounded and disgusted. “I know, and the worst part is we let the creep into our house. Now he knows where we live.” She says torn up. “Hey, how were you guys supposed to know? I mean, it's not like the jerk knows it was Conrad that brought the information forward, does he?” I stare at her anxiously. “I don’t think it would've taken him long to put two and two together once dad had got the police involved. He's also prosecuting him for illegally gaining access to the files.” “Surely, he would get done for trespassing and sexual harassment?” I snarl. “None of the women kept the stuff, so there is no physical evidence to pin it on him.” “That’s fucking bullshit.” Staring at her, I retort with wide eyes. “Yeah, but I doubt that will be the last any of us hear fr
I finish the rest of my breakfast and place the plates back onto the trolley and wheel it out the door for pick-up. I answered a few more e-mails regarding my Care Bears work and I open Lucas e-mail again. ________________________From: Luca VenturiSubject: ConditionsDate: August 23, 2021, 15:42To: Vanessa MaddisonMy Dearest Vanessa,I am afraid this request you have made is not mine to decide upon. This is a decision Giovanni and Rosalia must make together as father and daughter. I would prefer you to keep your distance and not disrupt Rosalia’s life as she is having a difficult time as it is coping under these circumstances here in Italy. Though, I know you will do everything in your power to find where she is, so I will talk to Giovanni about the possibility of setting a meeting up.I can not bear the thought of anything happening to you if you do decide to travel to Milano. But do remember that if Giovanni and Rosalia agree to this, you and I will be seeing a lot more of each
We walk out of the Parents Bay and back into the mall, continuing to shop. After shopping around at a few more stores, we hit Starbucks for an ice coffee and a muffin. Silence penetrates the air between us as we drown in our own thoughts.Once we are finished, Chrissy suggests we have a manicure. I concur and add a pedicure as well. A little self pampering never hurt anyone, and I've heard it's good for the soul.I'm already feeling a little more relaxed and human as we exit the mall. When we reach our car, I press the button on the key to unlock the doors. We stow our belongings in the back seat and then inside the vehicle. Chrissys' phone begins to ring, and she takes it from her handbag, peering at the screen.Her face lights up as she waves her phone at me. “It’s Conrad. I’ll be quick, okay.” She walks off to answer the call in private.I jump into the car and turn on the ignition to listen to music while I wait for her. I observe as people exit the mall's parking lot in their veh
When we arrive back at the hotel, we quickly make our way up to our suite and wrap all the presents, piling them into a large box. We take a step back and stare at the box that is filled to the brim with scowls on our faces.“I think we may have gone a little crazy today.” Chrissy laughs, shaking her head.“Tell me about it,” I laugh with her, sighing.“How are we meant to get this to Robert?” Chrissy sobers from her laugh and looks at me with wide eyes waiting for my response.“I have no idea… Do you think we can call the front desk and ask if they can send someone up to help us?”“It’s worth a try.” She says, shrugging her shoulders as she heads toward the phone sitting on the kitchen countertop. “Hi, I’m just wondering if it’s possible to send a young, fit man up to our room to carry a box full of presents downstairs.” She stands there anxiously biting her fingernails, meeting my gaze. “Oh, lovely. Thank you so much. Umm... Is there a possibility that you can arrange for someone to
I’m standing by a lake. The fog is thick, pooling around my bare feet as it tickles my flesh with affection. The night's air is crisp and cool, and as I look up. An endless sea of sparkling stars is scattered across the nights' sky. “Nessa, I’m so happy you came.” A faint familiar voice calls out to me. I spin around to see a much more mature Celeste approaching me. She's walking towards me with her arms out stretched with the moonlight cascading upon her. Her appearance almost takes my breath away as she looks like an angel. “Celeste?” I rub my eyes in disbelief. It can't be. I rub my eyes again to make sure that it's truly her I am seeing. She's wearing a long flowing nude nightgown. Her long hair frames her heart-shaped face perfectly, and her eyes look like the stars in the sky – bright and sparkly. “Yes, it’s me. I’m so sorry you had to find out like this.” She takes my hand, and I quickly snap it back. Confusion and pain suddenly wash over me. “How could you? How could
Shit… I jolt awake with my body covered in sweat. My breathing is erratically fast as I sit upright and place a hand over my racing heart, trying to elevate my escaping breath. I glance at Chrissy, who is still peacefully asleep, and let out a sigh of relief that I didn't disturb her slumber. As I emerge from the bed, I make my way to the bathroom and step into the steam-filled shower, allowing the scalding water to envelop me. I gratefully allow the water to wash away the perspiration that clings to my body as I attempt to make sense of the unclear vision… or haunting night terror. I'm still uncertain about what to label it. The conversation I shared with Celeste felt deeply authentic. Every word resonated with me and brought clarity to my thoughts. I gently rest my hand on my stomach, hoping for the courage to make the best decision for our future and raise this child with Luca. For a few more days, I will not know if I am pregnant. I am aware that I had impulsively informed Luca
Nine months later…Alessandro's POVI am driving like a madman through traffic. Missing vehicles by the skin of my teeth as I fly down the interstate. I am on my way to the hospital.Merda...I should have arrived an hour ago. Zoe is going to murder me, and I would rather she does it after the birth of our twin sons. I would like to at least give them the opportunity to meet me, even if I am a walking corpse.Si, that's right, guys. I Alessandro Russo knocked Zoe Henningson the fuck-up..*** Thirty Five Weeks Earlier.“Super sperm. I fucking swear to the Gods you have super sperm.” My beautiful, angry, kitten came storming through the door of my office. “Cara mia?” I looked at her with wide eyes that were filled with confusion.I rose from behind my desk and walked over to the door, which I then closed. She swung around and hurled something at me; it landed on my chest and bounced across the floor twice. With an arched brow, I gazed at her, questioning if she had lost her damn mind
I buck my hips against his mouth. Getting as much friction I can get as he lightly sucks on my clit. I throw my head back moaning. I know I won't last long. It's been over three years since he last touched me. Three years since ANY man has touched me. Tension pools in the pit of my stomach. I clutch my fingers through his hair, firmly gripping the roots and push his head deeper inside me. Alessandro starts to flick his tongue as he slides two thick fingers inside me, and I arch my back in pleasure. He wildly starts to drive his fingers in and out of my needy body, flicking his tongue faster, and mumbling in Italian. My walls start to clench around his fingers with pure greed, sucking the dear life out of them. I know he can sense how close I am because he swipes his tongue slowly across my sex, making me cum long and hard. I ride out my orgasm. Continuing to grind against his face. When my body begins to shudder, I unhook my leg from around his shoulder. “Stand, Alessandro.” I com
Three years later… I arrived back in Auckland two days ago. I’ve spent the last three and a half years in hiding. Every three months, I was moved to another location in another city. Every city meant a new identity was created for me. It eventually became challenging for me to remember who I was and what my backstory was at the beginning. But I gradually learned how to adapt to my new life and accept it. It took just over three years for the Italian legal team to get every member of the La Cosa Nostra Mafia rounded up and prosecuted. Gio had enough information saved on his laptop and files in a hidden safe to have them all incarcerated for a few life times. In the end, the Venturi’s managed to take them down from their graves, and their names will go down in the history books. They cleaned up the streets, making it safe for school kids to wander to school on their own.I gaze up from the side walk of the building where Lucas penthouse still stands. I'm trying to find the courage to
It's been three long and excruciating weeks since I ordered Luca to leave my life. And he did. He packed everything up and flew back to Italy, taking my Rosalia with him. The thing that hurt and still hurts the most is that I never got the chance to say goodbye to her. I only had Rosalia in my life for a short time before she was taken away from me once again. I haven’t heard from any of them. Not a single phone call, text, email, or even a postcard to tell me they’re okay. I only recently learned of their departure when Roman had called me and asked me to meet him at his office. ***“Nessa, how are you?” He asked as I walked through his office door.“I’m healing slowly, but I’m getting there.”“You’re looking a lot better from the last time I saw you.” I had caught a glimpse of a smile on his face. “I asked you here today because there are a few things that I need to discuss with you regarding my firm.” He said as he pulled out a contract from the top drawer of his desk. “This...”
Lucas POVI walk out of the house and jump into my Audi. Vanessa refuses to see me again. “Cazzo!” I yell as I bang my hands against the steering wheel. I just finished telling her I can’t fucking live without her, and she’s the best thing that's ever happened to me. Yet, she still dismisses me like I'm nothing to her. We just lost our baby. The baby I was secretly rejoicing in. We were going to be a famiglia, damn it, a fucking famiglia. She was going to bear my name and my children. My life was going to be complete and fucking incredible. I was planning on spending the rest of my life making her the happiest woman to ever grace the planet. But that has been viciously ripped away from me. The mob had gotten a hold of Mikal and paid him a pretty penny to turn my world upside down. That fucker is lucky he’s already dead because if I had gotten my hands on him, he would’ve died a long and slow death. Even that is generous on my behalf. The mob will pay. The arse hole who ordered the
Rosalia shows up twenty minutes later with her hair pulled up into a messy bun. She’s dressed in an Adidas tracksuit, and she looks so much like her mum. It almost causes my heart to skip a beat. “Is everything okay, Aunt Nessa?” Her face is full of concern as she approaches me.She sits be side me, I reach forward and place her hand in mine, resting them on my knees as I stare at our joined hands.“You know, I love you, right?” I try my best to keep my voice leveled.“Si. I love you too.” Her beautiful eyes are filled with confusion as her brows knit together.I bring her hand up to my lips and place a gentle kiss on the back of her hand. “This decision has no impact on us whatsoever.” I want to reassure her. “But for me to move on, I can’t be with your uncle no more.” I let go of her hand and quickly place the ring box in her palm. “I need you to do this one favor for me and return this to Luca.” Tears prick my eyes, and I rapidly blink, urging them away.I know this is such a cowar
I wake up to someone persistently knocking on the front door. Rolling over, I slowly ease myself into a sitting position on the bed. Being mindful to keep the screams of agony suppressed. Running my fingers through my tangled hair, I look up when Conrad walks in with a shadow close behind him.“Hey, Nessa.” He looks at me apologetically. “Detective Reeves is here to see you.” He steps aside, and a middle-aged female steps forward. “Hello, Vanessa. I’m detective Amanda Reeves.” She thrusts her hand forward, and I shake it. “Look, I know this isn’t an appropriate time in the morning to do this… But I would appreciate it if I could have your co-operation so we can get this case cleared.” She says as her eyes scan the room.Amanda Reeves looks to be in her mid-thirties. She looks a lot like Cameron Diaz with brown eyes, but when the light hits them, and you look close enough, there are bits of green and orange embedded deep within the irises.Her eyes are stunning. She has urban black hai
Two hours later, we are back at the house where I have joyfully popped a few painkillers. Conrad had set up our beds, turning the living room into a bedroom. Conrad said it was better we all slept in one room so they both could keep an eye on me. But deep down, I know he was trying to keep me from going back into the room where the assault took place. He is such a sweetheart. Carlos also tried his last hand at convincing me to change my mind and remain in my hospital bed. I lied to him and told him that I would be staying with Luca. So if anything happened, I would be in good hands. He still didn’t look pleased or convinced in the slightest when he handed me the discharge forms to sign. He gave me a few words of advice and informed Chrissy that if she felt that Luca wasn’t meeting her standards in taking super extra care of me to call him at any time. Day or night. I eventually forced his stubborn ass to hug me and thanked him for not letting me die the moment I handed the clipboa
“You got that right.” I wink at her. “How did you get here?” I ask with curiosity.“I had my driver drop me off. Uncle Luca said to tell you that he will be here as soon as he can. He is meeting with the detectives and his lawyer.” She looks at the door and then back at me.“Why is he meeting with the detectives? He wasn’t there.” I scowl, looking at everyone confused. “We have all been interviewed. But I assume Luca is trying to hold them off from coming to see you so soon.” Carlos says as he scratches the back of his head.Rosalia turns around at the sound of his voice. Carlos gazes at Rosalia and flashes her with one of his jaw-dropping smiles. Her head snaps back in my direction, and her cheeks turn a pretty shade of pink. I watch her as she tucks her loose hair behind her ear, and when I look back at Carlos, he remains staring at the back of her head. I casually flick my eyes between the two and realise the air has become thick with wonderment. Conrad clears his throat, interrup